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I raised issue on terror elements in TN, not law and order: Pon Radhakrishnan

Mr Radhakrishnan called on Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami at his Greenways Road residence here, and Governor Banwarilal Purohit.

CHENNAI: Union minister of state for finance and shipping Pon Radhakrishnan has asserted that he had raised the serious issue of “activities” and “functioning” of terror elements in Tamil Nadu but never said anything about the law and order situation in the state. “I didn't talk about law and order situation at all. I raised about the activities of extremists in several places in Tamil Nadu, especially issues concerning their training. And I will not accept if it's denied. The state government should take appropriate action,” Mr Radhakrishnan said on Tuesday.

Days after he alleged that TN is “becoming the training ground for extremists and these elements were engineering plans for the next 10-20 years, (while paying tributes to those killed in the 1998 serial bomb blasts in Coimbatore on Feb.14), Mr Radhakrishnan on Tuesday called on Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami at his Greenways Road residence here, and Governor Banwarilal Purohit. He however reiterated his view on the issue. When asked that the Deputy CM O. Panneerselvam had dismissed his allegation as a “blatant lie, filtered in a blanket,” the Union Minister shot back, “he has decided to cover it with blanket. What more can I say.”

While endorsing Mr Panneerselvam's assertion, Mr Palaniswami said in Coimbatore, recently, that TN is the most peaceful State in India and law and order is also very good. On his meeting with the CM, Mr Radhakrishnan told reporters that he had discussed various developmental projects including port development and also about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Chennai on Feb. 24. “TN will gain a lot if a harmonious relationship exists between the Centre and State governments,” he emphasised.On Mr Pannerselvam's claim that he merged his faction with the one headed by Mr Palaniswami last year, Mr Radhakrishnan said there was no need for the Prime Mini-ster to “interfere” into the affairs of any party.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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